Medical Assistant Salary in The Dalles, OR: $48,672 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in The Dalles, OR earns a median $48,672/year (≈ $23.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in The Dalles's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $47,439 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Medical assistants in The Dalles, OR, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $48,672 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $47,961. The salary ranges from $41,899 at the 10th percentile to $60,881 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a spectrum that includes various employment settings and specialties. Factors contributing to this range include the type of medical practice, as specialty areas like dermatology and orthopedics often pay higher than primary care facilities. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost variations indicate that The Dalles’s market offers competitive compensation for medical assistants, ensuring it remains an engaging place for those in this profession.
About the The Dalles Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,899 | $20.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,736 | $20.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,672 | $23.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,034 | $25.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,881 | $29.27 |
Median Salary Position
1.48% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in The Dalles
In The Dalles, OR, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,982 (2026 est.). At $48,672, the local median is 1.48% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in The Dalles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How The Dalles Medical Assistant Pay Compares
The Dalles median: $48,672/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | The Dalles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $52,505 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | +1.48% more |
Medical Assistants in The Dalles, OR earn a median of $48,672 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.48% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 7.30% below the Oregon state average of $52,505.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
The Dalles has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
The Dalles, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,672 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,439 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,316
2025 BLS Actual
$46,368
2026 Current Est.
$48,672
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in The Dalles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,316 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,382 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,742 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,838 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,623 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,643 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,368 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,672 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,092 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the The Dalles metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $35,316 (2019) to $46,368 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,092 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,776 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the The Dalles metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.97% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $41,899 – $42,736 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,736 – $48,672 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,672 – $52,034 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,034 – $60,881 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in The Dalles
With only six medical assistants employed locally, The Dalles presents a small but focused job market where salaries are influenced by the cost-of-living index of 102.6, indicating a slightly elevated living expense relative to the national average. Top-paying employers often include specialty practices such as cardiology and dermatology, which offer significant pay differentials compared to primary care settings due to the advanced skills required. The variation in compensation is also affected by factors such as bilingual capabilities, particularly in Spanish and Mandarin, as well as additional certifications, which can provide an edge in obtaining higher-paying positions. For those aspiring to maximize their earnings in The Dalles, pursuing certifications from recognized bodies like AAMA or NHA, combined with seeking positions in more lucrative specialty practices, would be advisable strategies to enhance their career prospects and financial outcomes.
More salary data for The Dalles, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Emma Chen, CMA
Career Analyst
Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $46,368 for medical assistantsin the The Dalles metropolitan area. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for The Dalles is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov